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“Thank you,” I told my sister, giving her a big hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Overthink everything.”
I laughed, feeling much lighter than I had this morning. Jenna always had a way of helping me get out of my head and see things more clearly. I pushed to my feet, feeling renewed confidence in what I wanted. Now I just had to go out and get it.
* * *
Holden was unusuallyquiet the entire ride from the estate to my pack lands the next morning. I didn’t see him the night before, and we’d set out early, so I had no context for his behavior.
Of course, my mind went straight to the only thing I could think of—something had changed yesterday when he’d visited Sydnee’s pack. He pulled the black vehicle up in front of my family home, climbing out and leading me to the door. As soon as we stepped inside, he turned to face me.
“We need to talk.”
My chest tightened, making it hard to breathe as I stared at his serious face. Part of me wanted to run right back out the door, but the other part had to ask.
“Are you breaking up with me?” I felt like I might be sick, my stomach clenching, my breath coming in shallow pants. “I knew it. Going home with Sydnee sealed the deal for you, didn’t it? You want someone fit for the job, not someone who—”
“Kayden.” His voice was calm, quiet as he rested his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe. That’s the furthest thing from the truth.” He sighed heavily and shook his head, thrusting his fingers into his hair. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what? For making believe we could actually be together?”
“Kayden,” he said, sharper this time. “What do I have to do to show you that you’re the one I want? You’re the only one I’ve wanted since the very beginning. Maybe even from the moment I first laid eyes on you. There was something I recognized in you, even then. Something special.”
He wasn’t breaking up with me. I fought to control my panicked breathing, immediately feeling like an idiot. “Then what else could it possibly be that’s had you acting so strange all morning?”
He came close, framing my face with his hands as he stared down into my eyes. I’d never seen him so serious, so intense, and that was saying something.
“I need to know that you’re all in on this with me. That you aren’t going to change your mind. That you aren’t still harboring resentment for me killing your brother, and a million other things that have me wondering if you’re going to just walk away.” His gaze searched mine as if he were looking for the answers deep within my soul. “I need to know you want me as much as I want you and that you want to spend your life by my side.”
I stared, having difficulty comprehending that this man—this strong leader, an alpha above all alphas—was doubting himself. Or rather, doubting my feelings for him. But when had I told him how I really felt? Jenna’s words from yesterday came back to me. Was I willing to lay my heart bare, to put everything on the line for Holden?
As I looked up into his eyes, I knew without a doubt that the answer wasyes. “Holden,” I began, my voice shaking. “There’s nothing I want more than to be your mate. If I haven’t shown you that, then I’m the one who needs to apologize.”
I reached up and wrapped my hands around his neck, speaking from the heart. “Holden, I’ve been scared. Scared of falling for you, scared of getting my heart broken… scared of what it means to be your mate. But now I know my feelings go far beyond the bond we share. I admire and respect you. I see you for the man you are, and most importantly, I love you.”
Holden stared, his lips parting as he let that sink in. “You love me?”
I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. “I do. And yes, I’ve been worried about Sydnee, but only because I don’t know what I would do without you. I want to be yours in every way. To spend the rest of my life by your side. As your wife and as your mate.”
He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it. “And here I was worried you didn’t truly care.” He wrapped me up in his arms, crushing my body against his. His heart thundered where my head rested on his chest, and I clung to him as he lifted my chin and smiled softly at me. “I love you, Kayden. There’s nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my days showing you just how much. As your husband and as your mate.”
My breath whooshed from my lungs, and all I could do was stare at him. This gorgeous, strong, and honorable manlovedme. At that moment, I knew what we shared truly did go beyond our mate bond. We belonged together, and my heart soared as he lowered his mouth to mine.
“I’m yours, Kayden,” he murmured against my lips. “Always. You have my heart, body, and soul. I’m so sorry I ever gave you a reason to doubt it.”
I laughed through the tears that were slipping down my cheeks. “Kind of hard not to when you were dating nineteen other women.”
He dropped his forehead against mine. “There’s only ever been you.”
* * *
After leavingmy childhood home for what could be the last time, feeling lighter than I had in weeks, we went to visit the pack. I introduced Holden to the new alpha and beta, who appeared to be quickly getting things in order.
“You have our support with anything you might need,” Holden told them, keeping one hand on my waist throughout our visit. He didn’t seem to care if the entire world knew we were together now, something I could get used to. I was certainly tired of hiding.
He chuckled when I brought it up in the car on our way back. “I’m ready to shout from the rooftops that you’re the one, Kayden. The rest of the Contention is just a formality.”
“What happens next?” I asked.
